ST. LOUIS, July 7 - Barack Obama says if he were president, he would not attend the opening ceremonies at the Beijing Olympics unless he saw some progress between the Chinese government and the Dalai Lama.

Obama's comments come in the wake of President Bush's announcement that he will attend the opening ceremonies. Bush said it would be an insult to the Chinese people not to attend.

Envoys for the Dalai Lama met last week with officials in Beijing, but Chinese officials failed to agree on issuing a joint statement committing the two sides to talks. However, another meeting is scheduled in October with envoys of the Tibetan spiritual leader.

Republican candidate John McCain has said in the past that if he were president, he would only attend the opening ceremonies if China improves its record on human rights and other issues.